By JP Chartier

The enchanting little island is probably most famous for being the birthplace of the Goddess of Love and Beauty – Aphrodite. A visit here is an absolute must!

Petra tou Romiou also known as Aphrodite’s Rock

Listed below are 8 reasons why you should holiday in Cyprus:

The Beauty - From the spectacular coastline of the Akamas Peninsula to the sleepy villages and painted churches of the Troodos Mountains, the beauty of Cyprus is in every corner waiting to be discovered. 

Beauty abounds in Cyprus! (photo credit: Flickr.com)

The History – The island of Cyprus is rich in history, throughout the centuries many powerful civilizations have laid claim to the island, including: the Assyrians, Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, the Crusaders, Lusignans, the Genoese, the Venetians, the Ottomans  and the British. Each has left its impression on the island, culminating in a kaleidoscope of architecture and different ways of life.

The Villages– No visit to Cyprus is complete without exploring the charming villages in the mountains and on the plains. Their ancient architecture of stone and block construction and cobbled streets evoke a time long past, it seems as if time has stood still. See the small villages of the Akamas Peninsula and the picturesque villages of the Troodos Mountains such as Platres, Kakopetria, Pera Pedi and Phini (the highest village in all of Cyprus). Other must see villages include: Potamos Liopetriou, Prodromos, Omodos, Lania, Vouni Village, and Tochni.

Visit the quaint little villages throughout Cyprus

The Ruins – The island of Cyprus is dotted with historic ruins from a plethora of conquerers.  Here are a few worth the visit: The Tombs of Kings on Paphos, Agios Sozomenos, Paphos, Salamis, Kalavasos-Tenta, Amathus and one of the most revered sites on Cyprus Palaepaphos, the ancient home of Aphrodite.

The ruins of The Tombs of Kings on Paphos (photo credit: Enjoy Cyprus)

Castles – Castles are an important part of the history of Cyprus and need to be included on your list of activities. Many of the different conquerors throughout the years have left behind various castles all over Cyprus. Some of the better castles are: Kolossi Castle, Paphos Castle, Limassol Castle, Kyrenia Castle, Larnaca Castle and the St. Hilarion Castle.

The former Crusader stronghold – Kolossi Castle

Fun Activities – Cyprus is loaded with things to do, everything from Hiking, chilling out on a beach, Diving, to the nightlife of Agia Napa. Here are a few more of the fun activities you can find on Cyprus: Sightseeing, Horse Riding, Shopping, Eating, Boating, Skiing in the winter and Mountain Biking. 

Agia Napa is known for its nightlife and parties

Beaches – Cyprus is loaded with sandy beaches, there are popular beaches and there are secluded ones too. Whatever your taste is you’re sure to find one to your liking. A few of the beaches you can choose from are: Nissi Beach, Fig Tree Bay Beach, Aphrodite’s Rock Beach, Curium Beach, and the Pissouri Beach.

The white sandy beaches of Cyprus

The People – Sit back in a comfortable chair with a cold frappe and watch the interesting people of Cyprus as they go about their business. The Cypriots as they are known, are mainly Greek and Turkish in ancestry and are very friendly. Here are some prime locations for people watching: Lefkosa’s renovated Buyuk Han, Lemesos’s remodeled town center, the cafés around the stunning Bellapais Abbey and the Gazimağusa’s central square. 

A long lunch at the Cyprus village taverna

Cyprus is famous for its sandy beaches, lively nightlife, beautiful landscapes and history but there is so much more than that. It’s the perfect getaway for a luxury vacation and tour operators like First Choice are well established in Cyprus and can offer everything from 5-star resorts to sleek, self-catered apartments. 

Isn’t it time for a Cyprus holiday? I think it is.

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JP Chartier

Hi my name is JP Chartier and I write for Gutter Pup Adventures.com where you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world. You will also find articles on camping, hiking, kayaking and several other popular vacation activities here too.

My goal is to seek out the hidden ‘gems’ for you and bring them alive through my writing and photographs, so your next trip or vacation will be a much more rewarding and fulfilling experience.

The post 8 Reasons Why You Should Holiday in Cyprus appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

The mac-daddy of Cuban Sandwiches

By JP Chartier

The history and the ingredients of the Cuban Sandwich is a much debated topic. There are some who say the Cuban Sandwich originated in Cuba and was served to the workers in cigar factories and sugar mills sometime in the mid-1800s, then they found their way to Key West in the 1860s by those same workers that migrated to America. And finally in the 1880s the Cuban Sandwich made it to the Tampa area, Ybor City to be exact.

There are others who say that the Cuban Sandwich originated in Ybor City in the 1880s as a quick and easy way to feed the cigar workers. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, the ”mixto” as it was called in Cuba, was a primitive version of the modern day Cubano, or Cuban Sandwich, and was served in the mid-1800s throughout Cuba. As it made its way north to America, we Americans changed and varied the ingredients of the basic “mixto” sandwich to the modern day pressed and heated Cuban Sandwich version of today.

Here in Tampa, Florida we take pride in our version of the sandwich – lightly buttered Cuban bread, mustard, generous amounts of glazed ham, mojo smoked pork, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, thinly sliced dill pickles pressed and heated. I personally like to add mayo, lettuce and tomatoes to my sandwich, something that is frowned on by the purists.

If you find yourself in the Tampa Bay area, a stop at Brocato’s Sandwich Shop is a MUST! I’ve made it my personal mission over the years to find the best of the best Cuban Sandwich – and I’ve found it!

Brocato’s has the best damn Cuban Sandwich I’ve ever sunk my teeth into period!

Family owned & operated since 1948

I had the large Cuban Sandwich which weighed in at a whopping 1.5 lbs and was at least a foot long! It also came with a bag of chips and a large fountain drink – all for $10. After sinking my teeth into the sandwich for the first time, I realized at that moment that I was in the presence of greatness. The flavor of the slow cooked mojo pork meshed perfectly with all the other ingredients of the sandwich.

Take a bite of perfection!

Brocato’s doesn’t press their Cubans though, they simply put them in a toaster oven to heat them to perfection. I personally love it when the sandwich is pressed when heated but I must say that the way they do it tasted excellent.

Brocato’s Sandwich Shop

5021 East Columbus Dr.

Tampa, Florida 33619

813-248-9977

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday ……. 7:30 – 5:30

Saturday   …………….   7:30 – 4:00

Sunday ………………………….  Closed

Check out their menu, they have many, many other excellent food choices

If you think you’ve found the perfect Cuban Sandwich, and it isn’t Brocato’s please leave a comment below and let me know so I can give it a try.

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JP Chartier

Hi my name is JP Chartier and I write for Gutter Pup Adventures.com where you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world. You will also find articles on camping, hiking, kayaking and several other popular vacation activities here too.

My goal is to seek out the hidden ‘gems’ for you and bring them alive through my writing and photographs, so your next trip or vacation will be a much more rewarding and fulfilling experience.

The post The Best Cuban Sandwich Period! Brocato’s in Tampa appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

Today, I’m very pleased to present to you Dr. FumbleFinger from “Gumbo Travel.com” and his wonderful article about the childhood home of John Steinbeck, one of my favorite writers of all time!

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By DrFumblefinger

I greatly admire and enjoy the writing of American novelist, John Steinbeck – in fact, you’ll see a quote from one of Steinbeck’s books at the end of my posts on TravelGumbo. Steinbeck was born and grew up in the small farming town of Salinas, California, in 1902.  His formative experiences in and around this community were extremely influential on his life view and future writing, including his Nobel prize winning novel, “The Grapes of Wrath.”

It had been decades since I’d last stopped in Salinas and I knew that a new Steinbeck museum had opened in town which I very much wanted to see.  So while doing an (all too short) California road trip with two of my Arthur C. Clarke buddies, electronics engineer Wayne Houser and author Neil McAleer, we decided to include a mini Steinbeck tour in our itinerary. This is the first in a three part series on visiting “John Steinbeck country.”

It seems fitting to start with a visit to the Steinbeck’s home — the place John was born and grew up with his family (parents and three sisters).  More important for his fans, this was the building in which he began his writing career.   The house is a lovely and spacious Queen Anne style Victorian built in 1897; the Steinbeck family moved into it in 1900, and the home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.  The family lived a “middle class” lifestyle, not that rich but comfortable.  John’s father supported his family with a variety of jobs ranging from running an animal feed store to serving as treasurer of Monterey County. John’s mother was a retired schoolteacher.

John Steinbeck decided to become a writer about the age of 14, often locking himself into his upstairs bedroom to write.  He attended Stanford University on and off for a few years but never earned a degree.  He later moved to Monterey and New York, and traveled overseas when such trips were relatively uncommon.  But he never lost connection to his Salinas roots and in fact is buried in its cemetery in a simple non-descript grave.

To preserve the Steinbeck house, a non-profit “Valley Guild” was formed by a group of Salinas women.  These women also shared an interest in gourmet cooking using locally grown foods, so they purchased the Steinbeck home, extensively renovated and refurbished it, and opened it to the public as a restaurant in 1974 on the 72nd anniversary of John Steinbeck’s birth (about 6 years after his death).  The house is still operated by the Valley Guild and staffed mostly by volunteers with a minimum of paid staff. The Steinbeck house is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year and we should all be grateful to the Guild for helping save this historic home.

Docents offer tours of the house (cash gift appreciated and used to support the home).  We were given a detailed tour of the home by the President of the Guild, Tina, in the latter stages of the tour joined by her husband, David (the House Chair and all around handiman).  Tina was terrific and gave us a great and interesting tour that took us through all parts of the home, from the entry hall to the living and dining room (now part of the restaurant’s dining room), downstairs bedrooms; we were even fortunately enough to be given a glimpse of John’s room upstairs (now a Guild office, but this was where he began his great writing career).  

The home is remarkably intact and restored to the time period; it’s quite an authentic experience.  There are dozens of pieces of memorabilia and family photos around the home which are fascinating, some of which I’ve tried to highlight in the attached photo gallery.  

I have to admit, for a Steinbeck fan like me, it was a thrill!   I want to express my thanks and that of my friends< Wayne and Neil, to Tina and David for taking time from their busy day to show the three of us around — it’s nice to know there are such kind and hospitable folks still out there! 

The Guild also runs a small giftshop out of the basement but it and the restaurant were closed when we visited.  I’d love to dine at the restaurant soon and really recommend if you’re in the area, stop by for a meal and a tour of the Steinbeck home.  For more information, here this link to the Guild’s website.

“We do not take a trip, a trip takes us”.  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

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DrFumblefinger is an alias for Karl Anders, M.D. (click on this link for the story behind the nickname).  Karl loves everything about travel — researching it, the journey, the trip experience, and writing about it all!  Karl’s been blogging for a few years now (first at www.drfumblefinger.com, more recently at www.travelgumbo.com which he co-founded).  When he’s not traveling Karl works full-time as a physician in a hospital-based practice.  He currently lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, only a one hour drive from his beloved Rocky Mountains, but has called Los Angeles, California, and Spokane, Washington, his home in the past.  You can reach him by email at drfumblefinger@travelgumbo.com.

The post Visiting John Steinbeck’s House – Salinas, California appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

By JP Chartier

Vance homestead originally built in 1795

Just north of Asheville, North Carolina huddled amidst the rolling hills of the Reems Creek Valley is where you’ll find the small homestead and birthplace of arguably western North Carolina’s most influential figure ever -  Zebulon Vance, and his less famous older brother (brigadier general during the Civil War no less) Robert Vance.

So who is Zebulon Vance you ask?

Well Zeb is most famous for being the charismatic governor of North Carolina during the Civil War, but ole Zeb was a busy man, and he lived a very politically-rich life, including that of a –   Lawyer; United States Congressman (1858); Commander of the 26th North Carolina Regiment (1861); Governor of North Carolina (1862), and United States Senator for three terms! 

It was said that Zeb could mesmerize a crowd of folks with his captivating speaking ability and overall likability, but it was his skill in the  art of winning a debate that  ultimately won him political fame and celebrity. So yes, it can be said that Zeb was a master debater…

Zebulon Vance – Charismatic Politician & Master Debater

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The Ride Out to the Vance Birthplace and Homestead is aesthetically pleasing to say the least, I follow a lonely stretch of road that leads from a charming mountain-village of 1,300 souls called Weaverville in western North Carolina. The road wriggles its way through sleepy mountain vistas and the land is dotted here and there with old-style farmhouses, but this is an area mostly left undisturbed by humans.

Just as the road seems intent on disappearing into the upcoming mountain, I notice a perfectly manicured slice of land encircled by an old wooden fence just off the side of the road. Inside, there are six log-style 19th century buildings, including the two-story Vance home and a visitors center sitting cozily together. And instantly my mind conjures up a scene from “Little House on the Prairie.”

Vance family lived here in style during the 1800s

The Grounds at Vance Birthplace

Inside the Vance House

A peek inside the Vance house shows that they had it pretty good. Below is a picture of the original 1795 fireplace.

The Loom House

Much of the cloth and clothing used by the Vance family was produced in the Loom House on a loom much like the one pictured below.

The Tool Shed

Like the name says, this small building was used to store all the tools, and a wooden bench inside was used to do repairs and build things on.

The Spring House

The Vance’s used the spring water from this Spring House to cook, drink and clean with. The small building is constructed over a natural spring, the same one the Vance’s used. Water would be carried from the Spring House to the Vance House in buckets. Inside, there is also a trough, the spring water would flow into the trough where crocks of milk, butter, and other foods could be placed to keep chilled by the cold water.

The Slave Cabin

The original slave cabins (thought to be three) were situated across the street from where they are now. The Vance’s had 16 slaves here in 1811. These slave quarters are very nice compared to the norm.

If you find yourself in the Asheville area and want a family friendly place to spend about an hour or two learning some cool North Carolina history and experiencing first-hand what is was like to live in the 1800′s, then hop in the car, drop the top and enjoy the 20 minute scenic ride from Asheville to the Vance Birthplace.

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At Gutter Pup Adventures.com you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world.

Happy Travels!

The post A Taste of 19th Century Mountain Life North Carolina Style – The Vance Birthplace appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

By JP Chartier

Foothills Parkway Entrance

No part of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway runs through Tennessee, so the Foothills Parkway was constructed to connect the recreational areas on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Construction began in 1960 and is still incomplete today, however the section I’m hiking through in Cosby, Tennessee is finished and offers up unbelievable panoramic views of the surrounding area.

I enter the Parkway from the I-40 section in the Pigeon River Valley and follow the 6-mile stretch up and over Green Mountain until it dumps me off onto US 321 in the tiny town of Cosby, Tennessee. A few miles down the road is the popular mountain town of Gatlinburg.

Views of the small town of Newport, Tennessee can be seen off in the distance shortly after entering the Parkway from the I-40 entrance. By the time you reach the other end of Green Mountain, the views switch to that of Cosby.

The mountains look as if they are blanketed with millions upon millions of green Q-Tips standing on end and tightly packed together. If you’re anywhere in the Gatlinburg/Cosby area, it’s worth the time to visit the Foothills Parkway, try and make it to the other sections of the Parkway too, located throughout eastern Tennessee.

“Rising up, massive and splendid, against the west. The shadows of the clouds flecked the pure and perfect blue of the sunny slopes with a dusky motling of purple.”  -Mary Noailles Murfree

“Learn to pause… or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you.”  -Doug King

“Too often. . . I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.” – Louis L’Amour

This small stretch of the segmented Foothills Parkway offers visitors spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains and surrounding Crosby/Newport area. The foothills are laid out before you in all their rolling glory, closely guarded by the nearby Smoky’s, standing illustrious and chiseled, flexing their huge mountain muscles for your cameras.

There are a few ‘pullover’ areas located throughout the Parkway at various prime locations, offering fresh mountain air and scenic views for pictures.

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At Gutter Pup Adventures.com you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world.

Happy Travels!

The post Admiring the Views from the Foothills Parkway – Cosby, Tennessee appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

Today, I’m very pleased to present to you Darley Newman - The host, writer and producer of Equitrekking, the Emmy-Award winning PBS TV series. She also hosts and produces Travels wtih Darley on the AOL On Network and for Travel Like the Locals with Darley on ulive.

Today, Darley shares with us by horseback the bizarre and extraordinary history of a deserted and spooky town by the name of Kayakoy in Turkey.

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by Darley Newman

Kayaköy was once home to thousands of Anatolian Greeks… today it is deserted.

Having trekked to ancient cities in Turkey’s lesser-visited interior, I was excited to explore the more popular beach destinations along Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast, called the Turquoise Riveria.

Even the bustling town of Fethiye, our first stop on the coast, is overshadowed with historical ruins. It was called Telmessos in ancient times and was a prominent city on the coast.

In the nearby Kaya Valley, where we’d saddle up, there was a tranquil setting. The land in Kaya Valley is fertile. People have been farming here for centuries.

On the ride from Norma Butler’s Perma Ranch in Kaya, we cantered and trotted past small farms, stone fences and family run restaurants intermixed with Roman tombs and other remnants of this historic area that Mark Anthony was said to have gifted to Cleopatra as a wedding present.

Our destination was the deserted town of Kayaköy, once inhabited by thousands of Anatolian Greeks. Until 1923, a Greek community thrived in this now desolate area. Their village was called Levissi and consisted of homes, churches, shops, schools, even a local newspaper and a hospital.

Following the Greco-Turkish war, the governments of Greece and Turkey agreed to exchange populations. More than a million people were forced to leave their homes. Greek Christians who made their home in Kayakoy were sent to Greece.

From Fethiye Harbour, they boarded a ship for a land that they did not know. To replace the villagers of Kayakoy, Turkish speaking Muslims were sent to Kayakoy, but they did not last in the rugged hills.

It’s really eerie to ride through this large deserted town. I’ve been to ghost towns in the American West– abandoned when the Gold Rush was no longer– but Kayakoy’s tragic history may leave travelers a more disturbed feeling. It did for me. Kayakoy means stone village, and all that remains here now are stone skeletons.

Norma talked about the book “Birds Without Wings”  by Louis de Bernières, which I really want to read after riding through Kayaköy. The novel’s fictional setting is thought to have been Kayakoy.

We rode through the old cobblestone paths, past the crumbling stone walls which once held homes. They now sit abandoned along the hillside– not even their rooftops remain.

We tied up our horses and hiked up to a church further up the hill, where the footing is too precarious for riding. Inside the cool church, I could see some paint still adorned the walls.

I could close my eyes and imagine the activity. There would have been children running up and down the streets playing, women bargaining for goods in stores and bakeries and families dressed in their best heading to the abandoned church where we were now standing above a dilapidated mosaic.

Now, the only sound in the village was from us, clip clopping on our horses around the ghost town of Kayakoy.

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Meet Darley Newman

Darley Newman is a travel expert, published author and the host, writer and producer of Equitrekking, the Emmy-Award winning PBS TV series. She also hosts and produces Travels wtih Darley on the AOL On Network and Travel Like the Locals with Darley on ulive, the video site by Scripps Networks Interactive, which combines original series with videos from HGTV, Food Network and Travel Channel.

Darley Newman has spent the past few years traveling the globe. In her quest to showcase each destination from a local’s perspective, Darley provides viewers with authentic, culturally enticing experiences that they can recreate on their own. Broadcast across the U.S. and in over 82 countries worldwide, each episode takes Darley and her viewers on a journey with local people to the best adventure hotspots, restaurants, cities and nature escapes.

Darley has been honored with five Daytime Emmy Award nominations for hosting, writing and producing Equitrekking.

The post Turquoise Riviera Ghost Town of Kayakoy appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

Every Friday evening, hundreds of people gather together, forming a large circle in the delightfully eccentric mountain-town of Asheville, North Carolina. Many bring along some sort of percussive instrument – what happens next is referred to as “The Asheville Drum Circle,” and it’s damned exciting!

Bongo Banging Bliss

I found myself meandering, lost in thought one Friday evening traversing the maze of streets that make up downtown Asheville. It was early autumn and I could feel the change in the air, the cool mountain breeze energized me, and put me in a celebratory mood.

It was about this time I remember, that I felt the ground beneath me begin to shake! I could feel a rhythmic thump pulse deep inside me, vibrating my guts and rattling my bones. It sounded as if the earth had opened wide and let loose an army of combat-boot wearing soldiers stomping in step and set on destruction!

Imagine my relief when I turned a corner and realized that what I thought was an army of combat-boot wearing soldiers intent on annihilation, was in fact just a peaceful gathering of hundreds of very happy looking people dancing and beating away on various percussion instruments.

An eclectic crowd of individuals swayed to the beat, bobbing their heads and undulating their hips as if in a hypnotic trance.

There were street performers rolling crystal orbs with balanced perfection all over different parts of their bodies, something referred to as contact juggling. Mixed throughout the affable crowd were twirling hula-hoopers and hacky-sackers too.

A contact juggler doing his thing

The celebration kicks into full swing

A Little Taste of the Asheville Drum Circle

This peace-loving celebration called “The Asheville Drum Circle” brings together all that is great about this town I love so much. People of all nationalities and backgrounds come together to rejoice in the moment, and in the fact that we are all alive and in a beautiful place at this moment!

The event is free and takes place every Friday starting at 6 pm during the warm months of the year, and generally lasts until 10 pm.

You can find the celebration off of Patton Ave near Grove St in downtown Asheville – Just listen for it!

Bring some bongos, bells, cymbals, gongs or something to bang on so you can join in on the fun.

What are some strange or interesting celebrations that you have witnessed during your travels?

The post Experience the Vibe at the “Asheville Drum Circle” appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

Wednesday’s here at GutterPupAdventures is “Picture And A Quote” day – Enjoy!

The sunset reflects the days memories with seductive colors and swirling beauty!

My take on an ancient Irish Blessing

May the wind be always at your back

and the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the road rise up to meet you

and take you to a special place!

Another day comes to an end in paradise – St. Petersburg, Florida

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JP Chartier

At Gutter Pup Adventures.com you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world.

Happy Travels!

The post My Gift To You Travel Friends! appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

Nuzzled snugly, deep within the Pisgah National Forest and encircled by mountains that breathe blue smoke is where you can find this place of fairy tales and magic.

The magnificent Biltmore Estate

The opulent and somewhat imposing French Renaissance, Châteauesque-styled mansion called Biltmore Estate stands proud and illustrious, enveloped by 8,000 acres of forest and lush gardens. The acreage is split down the middle by the third oldest river in the world, the French Broad River, and lies not too far from historic Asheville, North Carolina. The lavish estate, the largest private residence in the U.S. still to this day, is a main attraction for the Asheville area, attracting 1 million visitors a year.

It was the height of the American guilded age when George Washington Vanderbilt decided to buy an enormous tract of land just outside scenic Asheville, North Carolina. Then he hired the ‘premier’ New York architect  Richard Morris Hunt to design the largest home in America.

Finally in 1889, one thousand workers began construction on the 178,926 square foot, 250-room home that would ultimately take 11 million bricks to complete. The construction of the mansion was such a monumental task that the small village of Biltmore, NC was constructed to house all the workers. The village remains today and is very popular with shoppers and tourists.

One thousand workers built the mansion in six years

Six years later, on Christmas Eve 1895, it was officially opened to family and friends. The Biltmore Estate started out as the ultimate bachelor pad for George, the first three years he lived there he was single.

Unfortunately, George would only live to enjoy his “little mountain escape,” as he was fond of calling it, for 19 years. In 1914 he died unexpectedly after complications from an appendectomy.

The estate was a technological wonder back when it opened in 1895, it was fully electrified and centrally heated, unheard of for the time.

Vanderbilt loved to travel to Africa, Asia and Europe, and when he was on those trips he purchased hundreds of pieces of rare art, Sheraton and Chippendale furniture, rare books, expensive novelties and tapestries which now adorn the four-acres of floor space in the estate! That’s more than five football fields of space.

The mansion has thirty-five bedrooms, forty-three bathrooms, and sixty-five fireplaces. In the banquet hall, there is a forty foot-long table that seats sixty-four, and in the library, my favorite part of the house, contains more than ten thousand books. The Vanderbilt art collection contains one hundred and eighty-five paintings from artists such as Renoir, Sargent, Whistler, Pellegrini and Boldini.

The Banquet Hall

My favorite room – The Library

Some of Edison’s first light bulbs illuminated the home, and indoor plumbing was available throughout also.

A few other highlights of the mansion are: Indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, a chess set owned by Napolean while he was exiled on St. Helena, and gymnasium.

Indoor Swimming Pool

Indoor Bowling Alley

Napoleans actual Chess Set, he played on it while exiled

THE GROUNDS: Vanderbilt originally purchased 125,000 acres of land for his estate, and he hired the most celebrated landscape architect in the world at the time, Frederick Law Olmsted, to plan Biltmore’s magnificent grounds and gardens. After Vanderbilt’s death, most of the land was sold, leaving the estate with the present day 8,000 acres. The landscaped gardens cover 75 acres. There is a vineyard on the grounds that covers 94 acres and supplies the on-site winery with 75,00 cases of wine (900,000 bottles) annually.  The surrounding forest — composed of azalea, mountain laurel, dogwood, redwood, and oak trees — appears as wilderness, but it’s actually a strategically designed woodland garden.

Biltmore & the grounds from the air

Walled Garden with Conservatory

BILTMORE WINERY: Stop by the winery for a lesson in wine production and samples, then take home a few bottles of Biltmore’s finest. The winery is a must see (and taste).

LEGACY EXHIBITION: “The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad” is a very interesting exhibit that contains rare treasures from the Vanderbilt collection and focuses primarily on the lives of George, Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt. The collections were obtained during their many trips abroad and give visitors a close-up look into their personalities. Also part of the exhibition is a short film that shares the family story, from the past to modern day. The exhibition can be found in the Antler Hill Village’s Legacy building.

Vanderbilt Exhibition at Biltmore

ANTLER HILL VILLAGE: Here is where you’ll find the Winery, the Vanderbilt exhibit, a shop and a couple places to eat: Cedric’s, the Bistro and the Creamery. Antler Hill Village and the winery are included in the price of your ticket to the Estate, so be sure not to miss out.

Antler Village

Biltmore Winery

THE INN ON BILTMORE ESTATE: There is a fabulous hotel on the grounds here at Biltmore, it’s rated Four Diamonds by AAA and offers guests a luxurious stay on the grounds of Vanderbilts grand estate. It’s pricey – prices range from $199 – $499 a night for their 213 rooms. Includes a fitness center, outdoor pool & hot tub, gift shops, and many outdoor activities to choose from.

The Inn at Biltmore

TOURS AT BILTMORE:

*Audio Guide (headphones) – $10+admission

*Kids Audio Guide – $10+adm

*Guided 90 min. Tour – $17+adm Book ahead

*Architects Tour – $17+adm Book ahead

*Plus many more specialized types of tours

Hours of operation-  9am – 4:30pm

-ADULTS – $59 (cheaper if you buy ahead) $74 during Xmas time

-SENIORS – $44 (Check for discount offers @ Biltmore.com)

-YOUTH – $29.50 (10-16 yrs) Children under 9 free

A visit to the Biltmore Estate is a chance for you to submerge yourself in the opulence of the Vanderbilt family and to see firsthand what it was like to live in such a way. You will see things here that will blow your mind!

Bring some good, comfortable walking shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking here! You can bring your camera but no pictures are allowed inside the house unfortunately.

If you are in the Asheville area, the Biltmore Estate is a must see.

Have you been to the estate? If so, what was your favorite room, or piece of artwork? Would love to hear from you below in the comments.

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 At Gutter Pup Adventures.com you can expect to read well-written and entertaining articles about the people and places that often get overlooked at many popular vacation destinations around the world.

Happy Travels!

The post A Place of Fairy Tales & Magic – The Biltmore Estate appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.

SUCCESS!

There are two rules for ultimate success in life:

#1) Never tell everything you know 

The post The Two Rules For Ultimate Success In Life Are… appeared first on Gutter Pup Adventures.